Understanding and being aware of the moments in which we can hold true to our values;

Sharing observations with others.

Participating in the outdoor Rope Game on the first day, 2015 Leaders of Tomorrow participants learn first hand about leadership as, blindfolded, they work together to form a square with a rope. A highly effective kickoff for the program, participants learned valuable aspects of leadership like trust and cooperation. Other games throughout the week helped participants learn leadership lessons in a deep and memorable way.

Organizational Leadership

Understanding how organizations are organized and what that means;

Reflecting how leadership happens in organizations;

Understanding the various leadership roles in an organization;

Understanding the leadership positions within an organization;

Identifying and defining the role you play in your organization;

Identifying the best suited role and the role you may wish to play in the future;

Understanding the characteristics and values you need for the current role, those you need for the future role, and the difference between the two;

Distinguishing between formal and informal leadership roles.

Kay Sprinkel Grace from the US, part of the teaching team, converses with the full participant group about the tasks of leaders. Each day’s curriculum is balanced among presentations, interaction, and hands on exercises or games. In this way, participants are able to gain new concepts, discuss them in small groups with their colleagues and then act on them through exercises or games related to the principles of leadership.

Community Leadership

Understanding the elements of community leadership: people and organizations;

Determining in what capacity you may wish to lead (personal and/or organizational) and how to blend the two;

Understanding what community you are building or what communities you see yourself as a leader in and how you contribute to grow these communities;

Defining your vision for your community / communities;

Sharing your vision with the community;

Engaging people and mobilizing resources.

A small multi-national group works together on their assignment. These exercises provide practical application of leadership principles, and are keyed to the curriculum areas (personal, organizational, community and professional leadership). The small groups provide opportunities for participants to work closely with colleagues while getting to know other professionals from throughout CEE.

Professional Leadership

Identifying the profession that you most closely relate to;

Identifying the components that constitute a profession;

Understanding the role a profession in advancing community development and the development of civil society;

Understanding the role of high standards and ethics in all that we do;

Understanding the role of a profession in leadership that can support all of the previously discussed elements of leadership.

The 17 participants from 5 countries in 2015 sang their thanks to the Mott Foundation and to the Stead Foundation for their support of the program. Jan Kroupa from the Czech Republic, part of the teaching team, conducts the group in a song of thanks that was videoed and sent to the programs sponsors. As the final activity of the week, it was a joyful expression of a great week of learning and growing as leaders and a powerful reminder of the importance of gratitude in our work.